Review: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge Changi T3
This review covers my visit to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, the dedicated lounge for Star Alliance Gold members at Terminal 3 (T3) of Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
A visit to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Singapore Airport
After my visit to the excellent SilverKris Business Lounge in Terminal 3 of Changi Airport, it was time to visit another Singapore Airlines lounge, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
You may think that a lounge branded as “Gold” would be better than one with “Silver” in its name, but in the case of Singapore Airlines, that is not the case.
The SilverKris Business Lounge, available to passengers travelling in business class with Singapore Airlines or another Star Alliance carrier, is of much higher quality than the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
Named after Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer programme, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is the dedicated lounge at Singapore Changi Airport for passengers with Star Alliance Gold status who are travelling in economy or premium economy class.
Now that I’ve explained the difference between these two lounges, let’s take a look at the actual lounge!
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge location
Singapore Airlines operates from both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of Changi Airport, and you can find a KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in each of these terminals.
Although the Singapore Airlines lounges at Changi Airport Terminal 3 are generally considered to be the nicer and more modern ones, the Terminal 2 lounges are currently undergoing renovations and should be fully refreshed by 2027.
The lounges offer similar food and beverage options and facilities, so if you are only making a short lounge visit, simply check which terminal your flight departs from and head to the lounge there, as that is by far the most convenient option.
During my airport visit, I went to the lounge in Terminal 3, as this was where my flight to Hong Kong departed from.
Once you have cleared exit immigration and are airside in Terminal 3, simply head to your left through the main concourse.
Then take the first lift or escalator you see on your right-hand side up one floor, and you will find yourself at the entrance of the Singapore Changi Airport T3 KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Changi Airport is open 24 hours a day.
Entry requirements
To access the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Changi Airport, you need to hold Star Alliance Gold status and have a departing flight on Singapore Airlines or another Star Alliance carrier.
The lounge is intended for Star Alliance Gold members travelling in economy or premium economy class.
If you are flying in business class on Singapore Airlines or another Star Alliance carrier, you will have access to the superior SilverKris Lounge, which is located on the same floor a bit further down the corridor.
Of course, the usual Star Alliance guest policies apply.
You are welcome to bring a guest with you into the lounge as long as they are travelling on the same flight as you.
A look around the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is essentially one large room on the mezzanine level of the departure terminal.
It overlooks the apron and one of the runways, although the view is rather obstructed by the sunshades, the patterned glass, and the surrounding framework.
On the plus side, thanks to its design, the lounge feels bright and airy, with plenty of natural light.
The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge offers a wide range of seating options, including leather armchairs, sofas, dining tables, and high-top bar stools.
Towards the back of the lounge, there is additional seating in a more secluded area away from the open mezzanine section, which is usually quieter.
Most seats in the lounge have access to a power socket.
Overall, the lounge has a modern feel, although I do think it lacks character, as it is almost entirely devoid of decorative elements.
Food buffet
In the centre of the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3 of Singapore Changi Airport, you can find the buffet area.
I visited the lounge around lunchtime, and there were plenty of tasty options available.
Inside an open fridge, there was a selection of fruits and pre-packaged sandwiches, a small selection of sushi, as well as sweets and desserts such as ondeh-ondeh and vanilla cream puffs.
At the buffet, there was also a small salad bar, along with a selection of dim sum.
There were a variety of hot dishes available for lunch, including fried fish with tangy vinegar sauce and garlic cola chicken, accompanied by rice or noodles.
Vegetarian options included both South-East Asian dishes and favourites from the Indian subcontinent, such as fried bee hoon, chana masala, Pindi chole, and paneer.
The buffet also offered Korean kimchi fried rice, quail eggs, and fish cakes.
I thought the food buffet at the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge was rather good in terms of both quality and quantity when compared with the average business lounge across the Star Alliance network.
Of course, the options here are more limited compared with the much better quality and wider choice available in the SilverKris Lounge next door, but you should still easily be able to enjoy a good meal when visiting the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
Drinks selection
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge has a decent selection of drinks, with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages freely available.
Although the lounge does not offer barista-made coffee, the coffee machines in the lounge produce a decent brew.
Just like the neighbouring SilverKris Lounge, the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge has a selection of teas from Singaporean luxury tea house TWG Tea.
Inside the fridges, you can find the usual selection of soft drinks, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, cartons of juice, and several types of Schweppes.
If you are after a cold beer, you can choose between cans of Heineken or Singapore’s own Tiger Beer from the fridge, or use the automatic draught beer machines, which pour a pint of Asahi.
Wine is also available from automatic serving machines, although the selection is rather limited, with just one white and one red wine on offer.
Unlike the SilverKris Lounge, there is no champagne (or sparkling wine in general) available in the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.
The selection of spirits is rather small but decent in quality, with Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky, Myers’s Rum, Absolut Vodka, and Bombay Sapphire gin all available.
Other lounge facilities
Inside the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, there are a couple of dedicated workspaces, although the desks do not offer much privacy.
Shower rooms and toilets are also available inside the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3.
Although I did not try out the showers myself, this is certainly a welcome facility for Star Alliance Gold passengers flying in economy on Singapore Airlines who want to freshen up during their layover.
A baby care room is available in the lounge as well.
General impressions
I visited the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge around noon, which is one of the quieter times of the day at Singapore Airport.
As a result, the lounge was almost completely empty, making it a relaxing place to sit and work.
However, I can imagine the situation being quite different if you visit the lounge during one of the main Singapore Airlines departure banks.
Even though it was not busy during my visit, the lounge staff were certainly not slacking off.
The staff quickly cleared empty plates and glassware from tables, regularly replenished the buffet, and kept the lounge in a perfectly clean condition.
After spending a short time in the lounge and trying some of the food, I headed to the departure gate to catch my flight to Hong Kong.
Conclusion
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, the lounge for Star Alliance Gold members at Changi Airport, is solid but somewhat boring.
It offers comfortable seating and a decent buffet, with plenty of Western, Southeast Asian, and Indian subcontinental food options catering to the diverse range of passengers flying with Singapore Airlines.
There is also a good selection of teas, soft drinks, and beer available in the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, along with a few mid-shelf spirits such as Johnnie Walker whisky and Bombay Sapphire gin.
Unfortunately, the wine selection lags behind a little, with only one white and one red wine available.
The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Terminal 3 does have shower facilities, which are a welcome addition for transit passengers travelling in Singapore Airlines economy class.
Overall, I think the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is perfectly acceptable and neither better nor worse than your average Star Alliance lounge.
It is a comfortable space to wait for your flight, freshen up, get some work done, or enjoy some food and drinks.
However, I do think the lounge is somewhat bland and lacks any standout facilities that make it memorable, so it is not a place worth arriving early for.
During a longer layover, I would highly recommend spending time in the city of Singapore instead of waiting in this airport lounge.
Trip report index
This article is part of the ‘Trip to Taiwan: Exploring Asia’s Underrated Travel Gem‘ trip report, which consists of the following chapters:
1. Review: Air France Intra-Europe Business Class Bucharest to Paris
2. Review: Air France Business Class Boeing 777 Paris to Singapore
3. Singapore City Trip: What to See and Do on Your Visit
4. Review: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Lounge Changi T3
5. Review: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge Changi T3 (current chapter)
** rest of the chapters to follow soon **
